their appearance, and represented the sacred history of _Susanna_, with so
much art of histrionic action, and with such dexterity, that they obtained
both praise and a most ample reward."

(Histriones Anglicani maturè prodibant, et sacram Susannæ historiam tanta
actionis histrionicæ arte, tanta dexteritate representabant, ut et laudem
inde et præmium amplissimum reportarent.)

W.B.R.

[See, also upon this subject, a most interesting communication from
Albert Cohn in the _Athenæum_ of Saturday last, January the 4th.]

* * * * *

MINOR NOTES.

_The Curse of Scotland._--In Vol. i. p. 61., is a Query why the Nine of
Diamonds is called the Curse of Scotland. Reference is made to a print
dated Oct. 21, 1745, entitled "Briton's Association against the Pope's
Bulls," in which the young Pretender is represented attempting to lead
across the Tweed a herd of bulls laden with curses, excommunications,
indulgences, &c.: on the ground before them lies the Nine of Diamonds. In
p. 90. it is said that the "Curse of Scotland" is a corruption of the
"Cross of Scotland," and that the allusion is to St. Andrew's cross, which
is supposed to resemble the Nine of Diamonds. This explanation is
unsatisfactory. The _nine_ resembles St. Andrew's cross less than the
_five_, in a pack of cards; and, moreover, the nine of any other suit would
be equally applicable. The true explanation is evidently to be found in the
game of Pope Joan, in which the Nine of Diamonds is the pope. The